100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers
Ready to boost your Spanish skills before your next trip to a Spanish-speaking country with this list of essential Spanish words and phrases? No matter where you’re going, from Cancun to Madrid, we’ve got you covered. Learning some basic Spanish words and phrases will come in super handy during your travels. Don’t worry if you still need to improve your Spanish—you can...Read More
The ‘Vulgar’ History and Origin of the Spanish Language
The history of the Spanish is longer than you think. How much do you already know about its history? Consider these questions… How long has Spanish been around? Where did Spanish come from? Did Spanish originate in Spain? If not, which country did Spanish originate from? How old is Spanish? Is it older than English? If some people say that...Read More
What’s in a Name? The Origin and Meaning of Spanish Surnames
Have you ever wondered why Spanish names are so long? As you may have noticed, the names of people in Spanish-speaking countries consist of a first name and two surnames. Traditionally, you will see the first surname of the father followed by the first of the mother. Presently, laws have changed on gender equality and now allow any order, but we normally see the original order. People...Read More
Spook your Spanish-speaking Friends with These Popular Costumes!
Halloween is a celebration of all that’s scary. It’s one of the oldest holidays we celebrate and a personal favorite of mine! Traditionally, Mexico and Central America only celebrated Día de los Muertos on November 1st. Halloween has been celebrated to a lesser extent, and it only became a big holiday in recent years. As the month of October creeps in, you can start to hear people...Read More
September 15: a Day of Collective Independence
September in Central America is as colorful as any other holiday should be. Weeks before the 15th, the streets, markets, houses, and cars become adorned with hundreds of flags. Cities are dressed in patriotic colors by their citizens. Schools start practicing for the parades and concerts, marching bands can be heard all around town getting ready for the big day when festivities will take...Read More
Chanin
Okay. Before we start today, have a look at this awesome video! After I watched the video, I tried to snap my fingers to chanin-chanin! It didn’t quite work and it made me remember how many years ago, my best friend spent a crazy amount of time trying to get me to do it “right.” Despite her efforts and 25 years of being Guatemalan, I still can’t make the snapping sound. Now the important...Read More
Travel Spanish Guide: Get it Done in 5 Months
The food: chuchitos, caldos, pupusas, every kind of taco, and a rainbow of colorful tortillas. ¡Qué rico! The scenery: mountains, beaches, and famous ruins with mangrove rivers leading jungle. Beautiful. The wildlife: viscous jaguars and scorpions, sweet llamas, and flying squirrels. Alive. We. Love. Latin America. So, obviously we want you to come and visit us, but not only...Read More